The Spin Record Guide: Alt Country
Starting in the 1980s, punk rockers in search of their roots and
honky-tonk outlaws looking for something more real than Nashville's
focus-group pop created a new sound out of down-home twang and rock
rebellion. Here's a 30-plus-year retrospective of the insurgent
country spirit.
By Jon Dolan; Spin Staff 06.13.03 3:00 AM
Starting in the 1980s, punk rockers in search of their roots and
honky-tonk outlaws looking for something more real than Nashville's
focus-group pop created a new sound out of down-home twang and rock
rebellion. Here's a 30-plus-year retrospective of the insurgent
country spirit.
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Prince Paul, 'Politics of the Business' (Razor & Tie) / The Majesticons, 'Beauty Party' (Big Dada/Ninja Tune)
Indie rappers mock the house, y'all.
By Jon Caramanica 05.23.03 3:00 AM
Back in 1999, former De La Soul producer Prince Paul released A Prince Among Thieves, a concept album about a naive young MC chewed up and spit out by the game. A savage satire with a breakbeat laugh track, Thieves was bitterly funny and sharper than a box cutter.
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Idlewild, 'The Remote Part' (Capitol)
Scottish rockers with brave hearts on their sleeves.
By Andrew Beaujon 05.22.03 3:00 AM
There are British bands, and then there are American British bands: artists like Morrissey and Joy Division, who've remained popular among U.S. misfits years after their own countrymen wouldn't be caught dead wearing one of their T-shirts. With The Remote Part's aptly titled "American English," Scotland's Idlewild bid for the undying affection of said misfits.
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